Adjustable pedal apparatus

Abstract

A pedal-supporting apparatus includes a bracket support configured to pivotally support a brake pedal subassembly and an accelerator pedal subassembly. The brake pedal subassembly includes an upper section, a lower section, and an adjustment mechanism adjustably connecting the two sections. The adjustment mechanism includes a track defining a channel, and a follower having a flange-supported bearing shoe that slidably engages the channel. The bearing shoe includes partially-compressed resilient portions and crush ribs that provide a consistent and stable connection that takes up slack to prevent a sloppy connection. The shoe also facilitates manufacture and assembly of the arrangement.

1. An adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:
 a support configured for attachment to a vehicle;  
 a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion pivotally engaging the support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel extending horizontally, and a follower slidably engaging the track, the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the channel, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track, the resilient portion being flexed and at least partially compressed so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower;  
 an adjuster for adjusting the pedal construction along the track mechanism; and  
 an actuator coupled to the pedal-supporting subassembly and adapted for operative connection to a control system of the vehicle for operating the control system when the pedal-supporting subassembly is moved;  
 wherein the at least one guide channel defines a path of movement, and wherein the bearing shoe is elongated parallel the path of movement.  
 
     
     
       2. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one band of material separated from a remaining portion of the bearing shoe and elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       3. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one band of material separated from a remaining portion of the bearing shoe and elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       4. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 3 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one crush rib. 
     
     
       5. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one cavity elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       6. An adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:
 a support configured for attachment to a vehicle;  
 a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion pivotally engaging the support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel extending horizontally, and a follower slidably engaging the track, the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the channel, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track, the resilient portion being flexed and at least partially compressed so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower;  
 an adjuster for adjusting the pedal construction along the track mechanism; and  
 an actuator coupled to the pedal-supporting subassembly and adapted for operative connection to a control system of the vehicle for operating the control system when the pedal-supporting subassembly is moved;  
 
       wherein the at least one guide channel defines a path of movement and the resilient portion includes at least one cavity elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       7. An adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:
 a support configured for attachment to a vehicle;  
 a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion pivotally engaging the support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel extending horizontally, and a follower slidably engaging the track, the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the channel, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track, the resilient portion being flexed and at least partially compressed so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower;  
 an adjuster for adjusting the pedal construction along the track mechanism; and  
 an actuator coupled to the pedal-supporting subassembly and adapted for operative connection to a control system of the vehicle for operating the control system when the pedal-supporting subassembly is moved, wherein the resilient portion includes at least one crush rib.  
 
     
     
       8. In an adjustable pedal apparatus that includes a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion adapted to pivotally engage a support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel, and a follower slidably engaging the track, an improvement comprising:
 the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the track, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track that is at least partially compressed toward the body so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower;  
 wherein the at least one guide channel defines a path of movement, and wherein the bearing shoe is elongated parallel the path of movement.  
 
     
     
       9. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 8 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one band of material separated from a remaining portion of the bearing shoe and elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       10. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 8 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one band of material separated from a remaining portion of the bearing shoe and elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       11. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 8 , wherein the bearing shoe includes at least one cavity elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement. 
     
     
       12. The adjustable pedal apparatus defined in  claim 11 , wherein the resilient portion includes at least one crush rib. 
     
     
       13. In an adjustable pedal apparatus that includes a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion adapted to pivotally engage a support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel, and a follower slidably engaging the track, an improvement comprising:
 the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the track, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track that is at least partially compressed toward the body so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower;  
 wherein the at least one guide channel defines a path of movement and the resilient portion includes at least one cavity elongated in a direction parallel the path of movement.  
 
     
     
       14. In an adjustable pedal apparatus that includes a pedal-supporting subassembly with an upper portion adapted to pivotally engage a support, a lower portion supporting a pedal construction, and a track adjustment mechanism connecting the upper and lower portions, the track adjustment mechanism including a track defining at least one guide channel, and a follower slidably engaging the track, an improvement comprising:
 the follower including a bearing shoe made of bearing material that is located in and slidably engages the track, the bearing shoe including a body and a resilient portion engaging the track that is at least partially compressed toward the body so that the bearing shoe takes up any slack and sloppiness between the track and follower, wherein the resilient portion includes at least one crush rib.